Best loitering speed

[Zero Niner]

What's the best speed I should go at if I want to minimise fuel consumption? Say i want to loiter within a specific area, would ahead one third do the trick?

[Fincuan]

The lower the speed the lower the fuel consumption(/time), but you'll cover less ground. I usually patrol at around six knots, but that's no calculated optimal speed. I've heard people patrol at two-three knots, but normally anything below six is so boring that the watch crew falls asleep :D

With the six knot patrolling speed(9.5 during transfers) the patrol length is usually around two months, so at least it sounds about right in that context.

[Captain Vlad]

I often forget to reduce speed from 9 and just patrol at that speed, though if I remember, I reduce to 4 or so. I tend to spend daylight hours submerged, crawling along at 1 knot.

Wonder if anyone pulls a Tang and just finds a likely spot and sits there.

[seafarer]

It depends on what your goal is - to maximize the distance you search, or the time you search. If you want to maximize time, then slower is better. If you want to maximize the area you cover, then about 9 knots.

[manucapo]

according to the TM fuel consumption measure
that tells you how much distance you can run with your fuel at your speed

it is (in the one that lets you set exactly at what speed you want to go)

between 9 and 8 knots a bit more to the 9 knots side

that gives you the best consumption

im not sure if this is correct or if the algorithm it uses has problems dealing with slow speed
but if its ok then that should be it.

[SteamWake]

What's the best speed I should go at if I want to minimise fuel consumption? Say i want to loiter within a specific area, would ahead one third do the trick?

All stop... ;)